Page 40 of Fractured Memories

“It wasn’t a question.” His voice is low, accent thick, and if he’s trying to intimidate me, it won’t work.

“I don’t care.”

I’m not sure what it is about Kieran that has me ready to snap so often. Maybe it’s because he’s the one who dragged me here. Maybe it’s because he’s the face of the mafia.

Maybe it’s that he’s objectively gorgeous.

I shove that thought out of my mind, refusing to let it sink in. But it’s not the first time I’ve thought it. It’s hard to ignore his thick forearms that are always on display, the scruff that he’s trimmed, or his sharp jaw. His eyes are stunning, and that fucking scar through his eyebrow is enticing. Not to mention every word out of his mouth sounds sexy as fuck.

And the fact that he is that handsome only pisses me off more.

“I didn’t ask if you cared.” His words come out like a smooth rumble as he continues toward me. He’s blocking my path, so I can’t just walk away as he takes away the distance between us.

What the fuck is happening? Every interaction I’ve had with him so far, he’s kept his space. He’s barely looked at me until his restraint snaps, and he mentions the marriage I don’t remember before storming off.

This version of him—the one stalking toward me like a predator and pinning me beneath his stunning stare—is one I haven’t seen. It only stokes the anger that was already heating my skin.

“You don’t ever ask what I want, do you?” No part of me is intimidated as Kieran looms over me, forcing me to look up at him. My body hums from his proximity as I grit my teeth, hands fisted. Not for the first time, I think about Mika’s weapons and wish I had one. “You just expect me to fall in line like everyone else.”

A deadly smile curves his lips. “I would never expect that of you, wife.” I step back as he leans in closer, but my back hits the wall behind me. I’m trapped as his thick arms come up on either side of me. “You have never once made anything easy on me, Eden. I should have known a simple offer would be no different.”

His eyes sparkle with amusement like he’s not bothered by the fact. And I don’t like it. It’s as if he’s winning this silent war we’ve had going on—one that makes absolutely no sense. As stupid as it might seem, I refuse to let him.

“Because it was a demand.” I square my shoulders, refusing to cower as his body presses into me. But it makes me so painfully aware of how attractive this man is, and I don’t want to fight it. I want dominance, control, but…dammit, I might want him. Physically. Just this once. “And I refuse to bend to you.”

His eyes fall closed briefly as a huff escapes him. “You’d rather me be the one on my knees, wouldn’t you?”

“Yes,” I bark before thinking better of the words.

My eyes widen as his snap open, that smirk far too fucking smug. “I should have realized that was why you were fighting me. You always did get irritable when I made you wait too long. Always pushed me too far when you wanted me to put you in your place.”

Shaking my head, my brows furrow. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

But it’s as if Kieran doesn’t even hear me. He’s grinning, pinning me to the wall with his massive frame. “I forgot how often you need to come.” My jaw drops open as he leans close enough that his lips hover over mine. “My apologies. Let me remedy that.”

I’m stunned as this massive, imposing man—the very one who rules the city with an iron fist and a black heart—slowly sinks to his knees before me, never dropping my gaze. I don’t know what to say as his hands drag down my body, leaving a trail of fire behind them.

I should stop this. I hate him. I don’t trust him. We can’t even be in the same room as each other.

But my body leans into his touch of its own accord. And he’s been occupying my thoughts more often than I’d like to admit. I could tell him not to do this, but he might be right about one thing—the idea of him fucking all this anger and confusion out of me is appealing. I bet he’s not gentle, and I don’t want him to be.

“You’ve been pushing me away,” he murmurs as he nudges my legs apart. My chest heaves as I let him, watching his broad frame settle between my thighs. “But your body remembers who it belongs to, doesn’t it, mo chuisle?”

I grit my teeth as I glare down at him, but it just makes him chuckle. My anger doesn’t deter him, and I burn even more as he slides his fingers up to the edge of my dress. I have to bite back a whimper as he nudges it higher.

“You look so fucking tempting in this.” His eyes are dark as they look back up at me, the rough pads of his fingers against my skin driving me insane. “Did you wear it for me?”

I roll my eyes. “No.”

I pulled on the sweater dress because the material was soft and it was perfect for the cool but warming temperatures. I like the freedom of movement it gives me and how well the color went with the boots that I could walk in for hours.

I did not wear it for Kieran.

He clucks his tongue. “Pity. I was going to reward you if you actually admitted it.”

“I didn’t—” I choke on the words as he shifts one of my legs over his shoulder, opening me up to him.

Kieran arches a brow at me. “What was that?” His hand nudges my dress even higher. “You didn’t what? You didn’t think it would drive me so crazy I’d beg for a taste of you? You didn’t think it would work so well?”